Tory peer claims London cyclists are longing to be run down by drivers so they can film them doing so

Cyclist claim: Lord James of Blackheath made the comments in the House of Lords.

Cyclists who stop to take photographs of cars are "longing for" drivers to run them down, a Conservative peer has claimed.

Speaking during a debate on the introduction of fines for littering from cars, Lord James of Blackheath said London cyclists think they have a "superior law and authority" over drivers.

He complained that "ludicrous" media campaigns on safer cycling "are creating a new and separate society in London, where cyclists think they have a superior law and control over everybody in a motor car.

"It’s going to lead to some catastrophic accidents very soon," Lord James warned during yesterday's debate.

"I have had cyclists put their cycle up against the central reservation - not the line where the bus lane is - [and] stand in the middle of the road with a camera, and defy you to run them down while they photograph you doing it. That’s what they’re longing for.

"We need to have that sort of behaviour included in some exclusion because it is going to lead to their demise and our persecution, and it’s ridiculous."

The 75-year-old, who was given a life peerage by the Conservatives in 2006, said he supported a move by fellow Tory Lord Marsleford to bring in fines for littering from vehicles.

He also called for a clampdown on children "mooning" from cars, insisting such behaviour should be tackled by the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill.

The peer told how he had been shocked to see children exposing their bottoms on the way to watch England play rugby recently.

"My wife [...] was totally horrified at the sight of the school buses coming down the road towards Twickenham full of children who were indulging in a pastime which I believe is called mooning," Lord James said.

"The sight of some 40 children mooning simultaneously is not a pretty sight, my Lords."